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4 April 2014 at 11:29pm

RSPB 'inundated' with calls over bird of prey poisonings

A Scottish charity has been “inundated” with calls from members of the public over the illegal killing of 16 birds of prey in the Highlands, as the reward for information about the deaths has reached £10,000.

Sixteen raptors have been killed in the Highlands Credit: RSPB

At least some of the dead raptors - 12 red kites and four buzzards - found dead in the Conon Bridge area of Ross-shire in the last two weeks had been poisoned, STV reported.

A police investigation into the killings is now underway and a £5,000 reward put up by RSPB Scotland for information about the killings leading to conviction has been doubled by an anonymous donor.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, of RSPB Scotland, said: “Our staff have been inundated with calls from concerned members of the public voicing their personal anger and frustration about this appalling incident and calling for firm action by the authorities against the perpetrators.

“Many people have said they would like to contribute financially to the reward already on offer.”

The charity has set up a webpage where members of the public can contribute to the reward. If the cash goes unclaimed, it will be used to help fund future RSPB Scotland wildlife crime investigations